By kathbyn kebwtn



Nov. 12, 1929. J. Ani-:mz l Re 17,487

, FLoRALnAcx original Filed April e, 1925 /7/ ,4 fa 7 f5 Bed Eiewors,

. I fluor/Mq Reissued Nov. 172, 1929 UNITED STATESY PATENTv OFFICEJULIUs A. HEINZ,

DECEASED, LATE OF PESOT'UM, ILLINOIS, BY KATHYN XEBWIN HEINZ, OFPESOTUM, ILLINOIS, AND FRED B. HAMILL, OF CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS,EXEGUTOBS, ASSIGNORS, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO HEINZ FLORAL BACK CO.,

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION FLORAL BACK Original No. 1,652,938,dated December 13, 1927, Serial No. 21,023, led April 6, 1825. RenewedNovember 15, 1926. Application for reissue led May 18,

This invention relates to improvements in 'floral racks and moreparticularly to floral 4 position and others arev best displayed whenracks designed for use by undertakers and funeral directors insupporting floral pieces in funeral houses where floral offerings aredisplayed, in churches and at the graves and one of the objects of thepresent invention isto provide a device for this purpose which will besimple in construction, inconspicuous in appearance, and capable ofbeing readily handled and carried in compact form so that it will not,present the bulky and clumsy appearance which such devices ordinarilypresent.

Another object of the invention is to provide a floral 'rack for thepurpose stated so constructed that it maybe folded into compact form anda number of the devices readily packed together and carried about sothat the carrying of the devices-into the home of the vdeceased and thearrangement thereof in position to support the floral decorations willnot detract from the solemnity of the occasion.

Another object of the invention isto so construct the device that afioral decoration disposed thereon and supported thereby will not beliable toslip from place or become disarranged should the device beaccidentally jarred or disturbed.

Another object of the invention is to so construct the device thatfloral designs may be supported atdift'erent angles ofl inclination.This `is an important feature of the invention inasmuch as some floraldesigns are lbest displayed When supported nearly in an uprightsupported Vmore nearly horizontal, and, in this respect, the inventionconstitutes an improvement over previously employed devices intended forthe same use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a floral rack for thepurpose stated which may be manufactured at a low cost so that aconsiderable number of the devices may be employed Without anyconsiderabl p expense being involved in their use.

Another object of the invention is to so construct the device that thesame may be disposed upon a casket, on the floor, upon 1929. Serial No.364,258.

chairs, stands, pedestals, mantels, or pianos, without liability ofoverturning and without .liability of being disturbed in the event thefloral pieces should be unnecessarily handled byy those present.

In the accompanying drawings: y Figure 1 is a perspective view of thefloral rack embodying the invention, arranged in a more or less uprightposition.

Figure 2 is a side elevation Aof the rack, w:

arranged in a position to support a floral decoration in a less inclinedposition.

Figure 3 is a detail fragmentary view, partly in section, illustratingone of -the devices provided for engaging a floral piece e5 ordecoration. Y

The fioral rack embodying the present invention is preferably formedfrom wire or i rod material, depending, of course, upon the differentsizes in which the article will be I0 manufactured, andV the samecomprises a frame which is illustrated in the present drawings asrectangular in form, although it may assume various other forms, theframe, in the present instance, being indicated in general by thenumeral1 and comprising 'side members 2, a bottom member 3, and a top member 4.The frame further includes vertical frame rods 5 and horizontalframerods' 6 which extend respectively between the lowso er frame member3 and the upper frame member 4, 4and between the side frame members 2.In practice, the frame rods will be united at their ends and at theirpoints of intersection, by electric welding or otherwise,

so as to form neat joints, although it will be understood that if thedevice is made in an exceptionally small size, the wires may be suitablyjoined by bending' the same at their points of connection. Ordinarily,however, the structurewill, as a Whole, be substantially fiat inasmuchas floral sets or pieces are ordinarily so 4 constructed.

iso

bers which are indicated in general, one by the numeral 7 and the otherby the numeral 8. The standards 7 and 8 are of substantially counterpartconstruction except as regards their dimensions. The standard 7 isrelatively long and comprises a length of wire bent to provide spacedparallel side members 9 and a connecting cross member`10, the ends ofthe side members opposite the ends which are connected by the crossmember, being bent to provide eyes 11 which are pivotally engaged withthe top member 4 of the frame 1. Cross members 12 are preferablyprovided i to relatively brace the side members 9 of the standard 7 andextend between said side members and are secured at their ends to thesame, these cross members being of wire or rod material, depending uponthe size of the device. The standard 8 comprises spaced side members 13formed by bending a length of wire to the required form and a connectingcross member 14, and the upper ends of the side members are formed toprovide pivoteyes 15 which are pivotally engaged with the top member 4of the frame 1. The pivot eyes 11 at the upper end of the standard 7pivotally engage the top or cross member 4 at the outer sides of thepoints of connection of the vertical frame members 5 with the saidmember v4 so that transverse displacement of the standard is prevented,and in a like manner, the pivot eyes 15 at the upper ends of the sidemembers 13, of the standard 8, pivotally engage the said member 4 at theinner sides of the points ofv connection of the members 5 with the crossmember 4 to prevent sidewise displacementof the said standard member 8.Likewise, due to the fact that the standard member 8 is of slightly lesswidth than the 'standard member 7, it is adapted to be received betweenthe spaced side members 9 of the standard 7 when the standards arecollapsed against the rear side of the frame structure.

Referring to Figure l ofthe drawings, it will be observed that the framestructure 1 may be supported in a more or less upright position bydisposing the standard 7 at an angle thereto with its cross member 10resting upon the support upon which the corresponding cross member 3 ofthe frame structure is disposed,4 whether this be the top of the casket,a table, a mantel, or any other supporting surface. By reference toFigure 2, it will be observed that if the frame structure 1 is to besupported in a more or less horizontal position to better display thelioral piece or decoration when this is desired, the standard 7 isfolded to position lying against the under side ofthe frame structure 1and the standard 8 is then employed as the supporting means for theframe structure 1. It is, of course, necessary to provide means toprevent collapse of the structure when the same is set up in supportingposition and this means is preferably in the nature of a chain or otheriexible element, indicated by the numeral 16, which is-connected at oneend, as at 17, to one o,f the cross members 6 of the frame structure 1and is engaged about the cross member 12 of the standard 7 or the crossmember-14 of the standard 8. The chain is provided at its other end witha hook 1S which may be interchangeably engaged with its links so thatthe standard 7 or standard 8 may be braced at various angles withrelation to the frame structure, thus providing for support of the framestructure 1 at different positions of inclination and enabling theundertaker or funeral director to support the .floral piece ordecoration at any desired angle. For example the standard 8 may beemployed to support the frame structure at inclinations of from twentyto forty degrees whereas the standard 7 maybe employed to support theframe structure at angles from forty degrees to approximately verticalposition.

In order to support the floral design or set upon the framestructure 1,means is provided which will now be described. Said means comprises aplurality of supporting members each of which is referably formed from asingle piece ofwire bent intermediate its ends to 'provide a bightportion 19 and pintle eyes 20 which are located at the oppositesides ofthe bight portion and pivotally engage the cross member 6 of thesupporting frame structure. Beyond the eye ,/portions-20, the wirecomprising each of the supporting members is extended to providediverging supporting fingers indicated by the numeral 21, which aredesigned to support the vfloral decoration or set. It will be observedby reference to Figure 3 of the drawings, that in the supportingposition of the .support-ing members, the bights 19 thereof engageagainst the rear sides of the vertical frame rods 5 and the supportingfingers 2 1 extend approximately at right angles from the plane occupiedby the supporting frame structure as a Whole, as will be best observedby referenceto Figure 1. When the slipporting members are in thesupporting position illustrated in Figure 1, they are adapted to piercebut, of course, not mutilate a oral set or piece disposed upon thesupporting frame structure and support the same against displacement,and they perform this function without injury to a floral piece or setfor the reason that such pieces are ordinarily more or less looselywoven or intertwined, so that interstices are present `in the floralpiece or set and permit of the supporting lingers piercing the samewithout injury thereto or detracting from'the appearance thereof.

As before stated, the eyes 20 oivotally embrace the transverse frame memers 6 so that the supporting members may be folded to lie flat againstthe frame structure when the structure is collapsed and not in use butit will be evident, as before stated, that when the supporting membersare swung down-g wardly to supporting position as illustrated in Figure1 of the drawings, a floral piece may he disposed against the .saidmembers and will be penetrated thereby and firmly and securely supportedinproper position. It will, furthermore, be evident that the supportingmembers for floral piece or set are, so constructed and arranged thatthere can be no accidental displacement of the piece or set and thesame: will be securely supported in proper position for display. It willlikewise be evident that the floral piece or set may be readily removedfrom the supporting structure embodying the invention without mutilatingthe same so that, during "the period of time the piece orset issupported for display, 1t is securely supported and held in positionand, when it has served its purpose,1may be removed without mutilationand without disarrangement, of its component parts and, likewise,Without any disarrangement of the easel embodying the invention.

It will likewise be evident that floral pieces or sets may be supportedat various angles by the use ofthe rack embodying the invention and thusdisplayed to the best advantage and in accordance with `the wishes ofthe undertaker or funeral director.

It will also be evident that a number of the devices may be compactlyarranged in a stack Without interference, one with another and,therefore, a, considerable number ofthe 4devices may be employed ata'funeral without conspicuous display of mechanical devices forsupporting the various floral decorations.

Having thus describe'dthe invention, what is claimed is: y

1. The combination with vertical and hori- Zontal members, lof afoldable support, comprising pintle eyes on the horizontal member, withthe vertical member therebetween, a bight spanning the vertical memberand connecting the pintle eyes, and an article engaging elementprojecting from the said pintle eyes and held in operative position by-said v bight portion engaging the vertical member.

'2. The combination with aframe comprising vertical and horizontalmembers, ofv a foldablev support consisting of a length of Wire doubledupon itself and having the folded portions bent to provideeyes whichlare mounted upon the said horizontal mem-k ber upon opposite sides ofthe vertical member, the bight formed by the fold being adapted to spanand engage the vertical member, and the end portions beyond the eyesforming article engaging fingers.

3. A floral rack comprlsing a wire frame,f

a plurality of standards swingingly mounted on said frame, each of saidstandards being Acapable of adjustment in a plurality of positions forsupporting the framein a plu- ,frame and havin "fingers of each pair formaintaining them at rality of inclined positions, a flexible member foradjustably'connecting the frame and the respective supporting standardfor main.- taining said frame in the desired inclined position, andmeans for supporting floral pieces on said frame comprising wiresupporting fingers looped about Athe frame, the.

said' fingers being provided withU means for maintaining themat an angleto the frame and for permitting. the same to be collapsed into positionsubstantially flat against the body of said frame, substantially Vas setforth.

4. A floral rack comprising a wire frame, standards of Ldifferentlengths connected with `the frame forsupporting the same in a pluralityof positions of angular adjustmentand a supporting member looped aboutthe frame for pivotal movement against the body of the frame, said suporting member having object engaging gers and means to maintain thesame in position of use, substantially as setr forth.

U-sh'aped wire supports of .diHerent lengths pivoted theretoadjacent-.its upper end, pairsof supporting fingers pivoted on said wiremeans intermediate the an angle to the frame, and means on said framefor engaging either of said supports for maintaining each of the same ina plu- `rality of. frame supporting positions, substantially as setforth.

7. A floral rack comprising a supporting frame having spaced transverseand londitudinally disposed cross members, means or supporting saidframe in various angular positions, and means for supporting a floralpiece upon said frame comprising a body extending over one of said crossmembers and extending around across member disposed at right angles tosaid lastsmentioned cross member and projecting outwardlyl to formarticle engaging prongs, substantially as set forth.

8. A floral rack comprising a supporting frame, means for supporting theframe inV 1nclined position to display an object, and a member pivotallyrmounted upon the frame and comprising spaced pivot eyesuengaging amember of the frame anda bight portion engaging another portion of theframe to maintain the member in a definite position, substantially asset forth. y

9. A floral rack comprising a supporting frame, means for supporting theframe in inclined position to display an object, a member pivotallymounted upon the frame and comprising spaced pivot eyes engaging amember of the frame anda bight portion engaging another portion of theYframe to maintain the member in adefinite position, and divergin objectsupporting prongs extending from sai pivot e 'es, substantially as setforth.

10. floral rack comprising transverse and longitudinally disposed crossmembers, a support havin pivot portions secured to one of said mem erswith the other member therebetween, a bight spanning one of said membersand connecting the pivotportions, and an article engaging elementprojecting from said pivot portion and arranged to be held in operativeposition by said bight portion engaging one of said members,substantially as set forth.

11. An article supporting element comprising transversely andlongitudinally disposed cross members, a length of wire doubled uponitself and bent adjacent its ends to provide pivot eyes mounted upon oneof said members upon opposite sides of another of said members, saidbight being adapted to span and engage the last-mentioned member, andthe end portions beyond the eyes forming article engaging prongs,substantially as set forth.

12. A device of the class described comprising a frame, means forsupporting said frame in position to displayan object, a supportingmember having outwardly pro'ecting prongs permanently pivoted upon saiframe, means for preventing said supporting member from moving downbeyond the position in which it will support an object upon the frameand for permitting said supporting member to be collapsed snugly againstthe frame,sub stantially as set forth.

13. A device of the class described comprising a frame having one ormore members extending in one direction and one or more membersextending transversely of the first member, means for supporting saidframe in various positions of use, and means for supporting an objectupon the frame comprising a body extending over one of said members andextending around a member disposed transversely of the same andprojecting outwardly to form article engaging prongs, substantially asset forth.

14. A floral rack comprising a frame, means for supporting the frame ininclined position, and means for supporting a floral piece on' `theframe comprising supporting fingers looped about the frame and havingmeans for `maintaining them at an angle to the frame but permitting thefingers to be collapsed snugly against the frame when not in use,substantially as set forth.

15. A floral rack comprising a frame, means for supporting said frame ininclined position, means for supporting a floral piece on said framecomprising supporting fingers looped about the frame, said fingershavferent lengths tion snug against the body of the frame, substantiallyas set forth.

16. A floral rack comprising a frame, means for supporting the frame ininclined position, a supporting member looped about the frame forpivotal movement against the body of the frame from a non-supporting toa supporting position, said supporting member having article engagingfingers, and means to maintain the same in position of use,substantially as set forth.

17. A floral rack comprising a frame, cross members on said frame, asupport pivoted transversely onone of said members and having means forengaging another of the said members to hold the support in a positionof use at an angle to the plane of the frame, substantially assetforth.l

18. A floral display rack comprising a frame having a plurality ofsupports of difpivoted thereto, supporting fingers pivoted on said frameand having means intermediate'said fingers for maintaining them inposition of use at an angle to the frame, means for permitting saidfingers to be collapsed snugly against said frame and means on saidframe for engaging either of said supports for maintaining the same in apluralit of frame supporting positions, substantia y as set forth.

19. A floral rack comprising a frame having crossed pieces thereon, anarticle engaging member on said frame spanning one of said pieces andadapted to be folded against said frame, and a standard pivoted to saidframe for adjustably supporting the same, substantially as set forth.

20. A device of the class described com prising a frame, a supportingmember having outwardly projecting fingers pivotally mounted upon theframe and having means intermediate said fingers for engaging said frameto hold said member in position of use, substantially as set forth.

21. A rack for supporting a number of floral pieces disposed in desiredrelative po- 4 sitions thereon toprovide an effective floral display,comprising a frame formed to providevan appropriate supporting surfacefor the individual floral pieces, means for supporting said frame inangular adjustment,

and members pivotally mounted on saids dred and twenty-nine.

when turned to the position out of use, substantially asset forth.

In witness whereof, We have hereunto set our hands at Champaign,Illinois, this 8th day of May, A. D: one thousand nine hi1n- KATHRYNKERWIN HEINZ, FRED B. HAMILL, Eweautors of Julius A. Heinz, Deceased.

